this is simply about -- and, by the way, if senator mcconnell wants to go forward in light of that and we still have several senators that haven't said how they're voting on this nominee, i actually think this is very important what just happened right now. so it doesn't have to have an agreement. it is one senator who is standing up. >> senator. >> mr. chairman, i just want to express my appreciation to senator florida for allowing this process to move forward. there's some difference of opinion among us as to what exactly the fbi investigation would consist of. some of us think it has been concluded and supplemented by this committee's investigation, others disagree with that. but i respect the fact that not only senator flake advocated to give dr. ford a chance to appear in front of the committee, which was the right thing to do, but also that he's allowed this process to move forward subject to further discussions about what the fbi may or may not be able to come up with.